Magistrate orders nursing staff to resume work

Chaminda Perera

Kandy Chief Magistrate Sumudu Premachandra yesterday ordered the
Peradeniya Teaching Hospital nursing staff to resume their duties
immediately as he was convinced that the patients are affected by the
recent incidents at the hospital.

The Magistrate made these comments when a B'report filed by the
Peradeniya Police OIC was taken up at the Kandy Magistrates Court
yesterday.

The OIC through his report sought a court order to prevent the public
being affected by these incidents and ensure a better health service is
maintained.

The court had issued notices on Hospital Director Dr. C. Gunathilaka,
Deputy Director and six other doctors. Notices were also issued on four
employees attached to the administration section and twenty nurses.

The Magistrate made this order which is effective for 14 days to
prevent the patients being affected as doctors and administrative staff
are reporting for the duty

The Magistrate said those who fail to report for duty can be dealt
with under the Penal Code.

The nurses and doctors including the Hospital Director were kept
under Rs. 5000 bondage. The Magistrate also directed the Peradeniya
police to charge the suspects separately if any of the parties are
involved in damaging public properties, detaining persons illegally and
causing injuries.

The case was put off for February 13

Government Medical Association Executive Committee member Dr. Nandana
Jayathilaka on Monday said certain nurses engaged in the strike at the
Peradeniya Teaching Hospital forcibly entered the Children's ward ICU
and detached a life support system of a child and left.

He said the child's condition worsened after this incident. Meanwhile
Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage yesterday said
maximum punishment will be meted out those responsible for removing the
life support of this child.